DONETSK, Ukraine — Ukrainians headed to the polls on Sunday in record numbers — 25% of eligible voters — to elect their next president.

However, pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine kept a large number of polling centers from opening, and some citizens are staying home out of fear. Donetsk, which had 2.7 million voters in the 2010 presidential election, had just 5.48% turnout as of 11 a.m. local time. Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk turned out in droves for a rally to protest the election.

Here are the latest photos from Ukraine's embattled eastern region on this election Sunday.

A pro-Russian activist holds two stolen ballot boxes in front of the Donetsk region administration building that was seized by protesters.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

A woman votes during the presidential election in the city of Krasnoarmeysk, which is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Voters cast their ballots for Ukraine's next president in a polling office in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, which has been the site of tense standoff between Kiev supporters and pro-Russian separatists.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Woman votes in a polling office in the Donetsk region city of Krasnoarmeysk.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Women put the ballot in the box during presidential election vote in Krasnoarmeysk.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Man decides who to vote for during the presidential election in a polling startion in Krasnoarmeysk on Sunday.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

A square full of people reflects in sunglasses of a man guarding the stage during pro-Russian rally in Donetsk on Sunday.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Pro-Russian separatists put their angry letters in a box with those running for presidency printed on it during the rally in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Donetsk's separatists held a so-called referendum on May 11 to secede from Ukraine.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Mikhail Ddobkin's presidential campaign billboard with the face and motto ripped off is seen on a street in Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk region.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

An armed man outside Akhmetov's mansion. Earlier on Sunday, a mob of armed men marched on his compound in eastern Ukraine but stopped short of storming the property after negotiations.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Armed separatists stand guard outside the home of Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov, who is the richest man in the country.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Pro-Russian separatists show off stolen ballot boxes outside their headquarters in Donetsk.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Members of the election commission open a ballot box in Volnovakha, Ukraine.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Members of the election commission empty a ballot box and begin counting votes at a polling office in Volnovakha, Ukraine.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Members of the election commission sort the ballots as they prepare to count them.

IMAGE: EVGENY FELDMAN, MASHABLE

Members of the election commission empty another ballot box as they count votes at a poll office in Volnovakha, a city about 50 kilometers away from Donetsk in Ukraine.